Disney Detox

It all started when I began singing the theme song to the Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven during newspaper. Ms. Komar commented, “It would be really interesting to see what you would be like without Disney for two weeks. Could you even survive?”

I am easily the biggest Disney freak I know. It has been in my life for as long as I can remember, and I dream of one day working for the Walt Disney Company. Clutching my Mickey Mouse water bottle, I hesitantly agreed to participate in this experiment.

For two weeks, I was not allowed talk about Disney, sing or listen to Disney songs, watch Disney movies, use Disney products, or watch programs on Disney affiliate networks like ABC.

Day 1 (9/21):

After switching out many of my Disney products, I walked into school today with a non-Disney pencil case and water bottle in tow. I had to hold myself back several times from singing Disney songs when I overheard things that reminded me of the movies.

The only thing that really frustrated me today was not being able to talk about one of my favorite shows, Castle. My friend Ashley was quite frustrated with me for not discussing the tension between the two main characters.

Because I am trying so hard not to think about Disney, I find myself thinking about it even more. I’m interested to see if this experiment might actually increase my obsession…

Day 2 (9/22):

I couldn’t watch Modern Family last night. Ugh.

Day 6 (9/26):

Peer Ministry Retreat and college apps kept me busy this weekend, so I didn’t feel too deprived.

I realized today just how much my friends talk about Disney. I had to ask them to stop singing at least five times within one hour. It took so much will power not to just join in singing with them.

During class today, a teacher insulted Cinderella just to bother me, because she knew I wasn’t allowed to respond in the princess’s defense.

I can’t watch Castle tonight. At least I have plenty of homework to distract me…

Day 7 (9/27)

I stayed home sick from school today. A friend called to fill me in on what I missed in class. She told me about the speaker we had today. Apparently, Disney was discussed quite a bit. I don’t know if I’m glad I missed it or not. I’m happy that I didn’t have to listen to someone criticize my favorite thing, but I’m sad that I didn’t get the opportunity to hear what she said for myself so I could judge it more accurately.

Day 12 (10/2)

Rapunzel became an official Disney Princess today! I wanted to watch the ceremony, but I’m unfortunately not allowed to. Hmph.

Day 14 (10/4)

My last day without Disney has come to a close. Going without it for two weeks has certainly been a challenge.

It wasn’t difficult at all to avoid using physical Disney products. It took a great deal of effort not to listen to Disney songs, as I always listen to inspirational ballads like “Go the Distance” from Hercules to give myself confidence before what I know will be a stressful day. However, I was able to fill the void with songs from some of my favorite musicals.

By far, the most difficult part of this experiment was not being able to talk about Disney with my friends. I realized just how much we reference Disney, and it felt strange having to hold back all the comments I wanted to make.

I’m not ashamed to say that I am now and always will be passionate about the Walt Disney Company.

Critics of Disney argue that the princesses aren’t good role models. I understand that everything about Disney isn’t magic and fun. However, I feel that, compared to the other media that young people are exposed to, Disney does a fantastic job of creating role models.

The films taught me so much about life: Beauty and the Beast taught me that it’s okay to be different. Hercules taught me to be confident in who I am. Mulan taught me to fight for what I believe in, and that girls can be just as tough as boys.

It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when I watch a Disney movie or visit a Disney theme park. Disney just makes me happy. It inspires me to believe that anything is possible. Disney constantly reminds me to always follow my dreams and to have faith that, one day, I will find my happy ending.

Lady Lazarus: Reborn Through Music

In 2000 Melissa Ann Sweat was a reporter for “The Voice”, now she is an independent musician operating out of Savannah, Georgia under the name “Lady Lazarus.” Last January, the Pres alum released her first full-length album entitled “Manic.”

The Voice: When did you start playing music?

MS: I became interested in independent music, non-mainstream, non-major label music in my junior and senior years of high school, which has profoundly influenced me as a music-maker and as a thinker. I had been into mainstream alternative bands like Radiohead, but started finding out about relatively lesser known musicians like Elliot Smith and Aimee Mann, mostly through soundtracks to movies.

I didn’t play a lick of music growing up. What a shame! Pick up an instrument, ladies, if you haven’t already! Form a girl group. Write your songs and sing your heart out. It’s been the most liberating experience for me, and I truly think that every person should try their hand at music, as we are all inherently musical creatures.

I have only been playing music for three years now. In around March of 2008, I started teaching myself keyboard and just allowing myself to play and have fun and experiment–experimenting is key–and the songs just started flowing out. The poetry was there. And that’s how I started Lady Lazarus. Three years ago in my San Francisco studio apartment, playing & singing in my bedroom, and putting songs up on MySpace–and getting encouragement from strangers!

The Voice: How did you first get into the music industry?

My first collection of songs I made into an EP called Home Recordings, and put it up for sale on CD Baby. I like to complete projects fully, so I thought I’d try to get some reviews for it. I emailed some music reviewers and sent the CD out. I had faith in my music, but it was really fascinating to get positive responses from complete strangers, and to even have a handful of people around the world purchase my music.

Even now that I’ve gotten this exposure from Pitchfork, Stereogum and other notable sites, I’m not profiting from my music endeavor just yet. It basically funds itself. I made up my own label, Apartment Life Records, which anyone can do, and put out my first full-length album Mantic on Band Camp. What’s difficult is getting it out there. So with some money I had saved up from working, I hired a PR person (which is something to be very cautious about, but it can benefit you as an artist). That helped get my name out there a bit more with this album release. Lady Lazarus had already gotten some wonderful organic press from a track review Pitchfork did of “The Eye in the Eye of the Storm.” My brother, Andy, who has no music business connections, on a whim sent my music to Brian Howe of Pitchfork. It’s still a total miracle to me, but somehow my music got through. I think some of it has to do with luck, but a lot of it has to do with passion I put into my music.

I’m a typical starving artist, but you know, it’s all worth it because I’m creating and committed. I’m being true to myself and doing what I love–and nothing less.

The music industry, though, can be a treacherous place. It’s a strange thing when you are putting your spirit into your music and then selling it as product. The temptation to sell out and sell your soul even is there–and it’s a real test to be true to yourself, through and through.

The Voice: An article on sterogum.com said that you are a multiple instrumental musician, what instruments do you play and when did you begin to play each of them?

MS: I’m a self-taught musician, so anything I pick up, I tend to think I can play or use in some way that interests me musically. That’s how I approach the keyboard anyway, as a tool I’m trying to figure out and just explore. So the other instruments I’ve picked up to use are piano, harmonica, accordion, glockenspiel, the organa, and I used a mbira, an African thumb piano that my roommate had, and some hand bells in some songs on Mantic. Perhaps I’ll explore some more as I make new songs, but for some reason I’m very drawn to keyboard and piano.

The Voice: I understand that you are an independent artist; does this allow you more artistic freedom than if you were to sign with a record company?

MS: Right now, I’m incredibly free to do what I want because it’s all my own thing; it’s a solo project and I’ve been running my own show on my label. I think that if I were to get on an independent label, things might change a bit. Some labels give you more freedom and it really depends on what you’ve achieved as an artist.

I can’t really say what it would be like for me at a label. I think it would help with touring and getting my name out there more. But in some ways, I’m a little fearful of it, because if you’re on a label they will take a cut of what you make–and it’s tough to make much anyhow!–and there will be some level of obligation… but they are also there to support you artistically and financially; it really depends on the terms of your contract. But essentially, you are an investment.

I don’t really think about the major label world, because I don’t know if I’ll ever be a part of it, or if I’d want to be. But the universe is a very strange place, and you never know what will come your way.

The Voice: What is it like to write, produce, and record an album?

MS: I don’t have any children just yet, but it’s a little like having a child I would think. It is a holistic labor and it’s something that when you begin it, you need to get it out. You want it alive and shared and in the world. I’m very proud that I’ve been able to navigate the different aspects thus far of putting my music out there. I can say proudly that this album is almost entirely my own effort–I wrote all the songs, played all the parts, did most of the recording, designed the album art, and liner notes. As a woman and as an artist I’m happy that I’ve made a complete art object and given myself the opportunity to be heard.

The writing process itself was very intuitive and in the moment. I didn’t have a plan for the album, but as I explored the keyboard in my experimental and personal way, the music and lyrics started to shape themselves as something cohesive. Most often the words just flow to me at the keyboard and I sort of just received them. It’s a very intuitive process, that’s the essential thing, just like writing poetry or painting for me. It’s all about feeling and listening to the muse and shutting off the part of you that says no.

As for recording, I record at home, so I was very hesitant about going into a studio to re-record the songs. I actually started to work with a friend at his higher-tech home-recording studio in downtown San Jose, but I went back to my four-track, Fostex recordings on like 90% of the songs because I loved the warmth and how they felt. They felt real and I didn’t want to lose that with more clinical sounding recordings. Anyhow, it’s a lot of trial and error with recording I found and you have to ultimately be in touch and true to that internal voice that knows what the right artistic decision is and what the wrong one is. Again, it’s very much about intuition.

To produce this album it cost me around $1,400, which included recording with my pal and printing 300 albums. That doesn’t include the PR costs and shipping albums out to people and tour costs, but you can see how making an actual album doesn’t have to be that expensive. You can really do it yourself by saving up money or maybe having people donate to your effort through things like kick-starter.

The Voice: What is it like to be on tour? Do you ever get lonely being away from home for extended periods of time?

MS: I moved to Savannah, GA in mid-October last year because I’ve always been a person that has enjoyed travel and experiencing new places. I could never see myself living in one part of the country or world forever. I do get lonely sometimes and have been quite homesick lately actually!

I do like the adventure though. I sometimes joke that I’m like a rock n’ roll truck driver, driving around from town to town. It’s fun to be one of the wild ones out there on the road, though. Perhaps a little like Jack Kerouac. I’ve admired the free roamers of life, perhaps for awhile but I was hesitant on joining that circus. I tell you though it’s a lot of fun.

The Voice: As a student at Pres, you were a member of the newspaper staff, what did working for “The Voice” teach you about working in the real world?

MS: Working for “The Voice” was the first opportunity I had to express my writing in a public forum, so that was really a life-changing experience for me. I knew I wanted to be a professional writer in some way, that writing would always be my back bone. I’m truly thankful for that experience.

I felt encouraged too by my peers on staff and teachers who genuinely seemed to admire my work. Our advisor, Mr. Howe, was a really an illuminating figure. He knew a lot of good music and was also there to help open our eyes a bit to how the media works and to more independent voices in journalism. We actually were the first class at Pres, the Class of 2001, to start “The Voice,” crazy right!?

The Voice: You said that you are influenced a lot by poetry. What is your favorite type of poetry?

MS: I really like Theodore Roethke and Native American poetry, Joy Harjo, Louise Erdrich. Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sylvia Plath, and Anne Sexton. Right now I’m really into Raymond Carver. I like free verse. I need to read more poetry though! And everything else too.

The Voice: How did your time at Presentation influence your music?

My time at Pres made me an incredibly independent and strong-minded woman. I think it had mostly to do with the books we read, the opportunity to write, my trials and tribulations at school there, and also my unrelenting creative spark and curiosity. High school can be an incredibly hard and confusing time, but I think it helps to remember that we all blossom and grow in different ways, and you’ll eventually find out who you are and all the things you can do. Definitely remember the power of possibility. And above all things love yourself, to quote Nick Cave.

The Voice: What is your favorite song that you have written?

MS: Hard question because they all mean a lot to me for different reasons, but “Via Elysian Fields: Lake Pontchartrain” is very special to me. It’s about when I visited New Orleans and went up to the lake on my train trip. I realized so much about my spirit on that trip and what I want to do in life. How I’m an adventurer, a wanderer, and how important the human spirit and the life spirit is to me. It’s really fun to play that song too because I hit the keys really hard and get to feel powerful.

The Voice: What inspired your name “Lady Lazarus”?

MS: My project, Lady Lazarus, is inspired by the poem of the same name by Sylvia Plath. In the poem, Plath talks of this Lady Lazarus character, most likely herself, who has attempted suicide again and is rising like a mummy from the dead. I chose the title because I related to the idea of death and resurrection, of struggling and ascending. Art can truly heal old wounds and can give you a positive outlet for difficult emotions–it also felt a little like reinvention to me. Not entirely like a Lady Gaga reinvention, but a very positive, spiritually-focused reinvention.

The Voice: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?

MS: You can do it! It’s worth it, and always be true to your vision. Be a good person in the practice and business of music just as you are a good person in your life and positive things will come to you. It’s karmic.

The Voice: Where is your music for sale?

MS: Http://ladylazarus.bandcamp.com, all major MP3 distributors, and soon to be available through Amazon in hard copy. People can also stay updated on my project if they like through http://www.facebook.com/ladylazarusintheory and http://www.myspace.com/ladylazarusintheory.

iPod Psychoanalysis: Mr. Garbo

This month’s issue of iPod Psychoanalysis is on the great English teacher, Mr. Garbo, and his musical tastes. His top songs are from mixture of many different genres of songs from country to hard rock. Through these songs, we can get a better look into Mr. Garbo’s overall personality and his outlook on life.

1. Led Zeppelin–”Going to California”
Mr. Garbo truly is reminded of the greatness of California from this song. This song should be retitled as “Staying in California” to represent Mr. Garbo’s love for the golden state. Because this song was actually inspired from a poem by Jimmy Page, the guitarist of Led Zeppelin, we can see how attached Mr. Garbo is towards finding some variation poetry in many aspects of life including music. The positive vibe yet mellowness of this song represents his go-with-the flow outlook on life.

2. U2–”Angel of Harlem”
This jazzy U2 classic has a soul beat throughout it. The lyrics are mostly a mash of non-matching words, “Birdland on fifty-three/ The street sounds like a symphony,” but the more underlying theme of the song is heart, soul and angels. This song was written as a form of tribute to Billie Holiday, the actual Angel of Harlem, a Jazz singer who moved to Harlem as a young adult. This song was also written to glorify not only Billie Holiday but also the great variety of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel music they heard while on tour in America. This powerful emotional energy carried throughout the song is similar to the energy Mr. Garbo brings to the classroom when talking about Holden Caulfield.

3. Jimi Hendrix–”Purple Haze”
Mr. Garbo likes this song because, “It’s Jimi!” This hard-rock song is probably the song he rocks out to as the frustration of grading so many critical research papers builds up. This song gives us a sense that there is a feeling of a purple haze or confusion in Mr. Garbo’s mind as the song describes the perplexity of life, “Purple haze all around/ Don’t know if I’m comin’ up or down/ Am I happy or in misery?”

4. Kool and The Gang–”Summer Madness”
This relaxing song does not really have a deep theme attached to it so don’t try to read between the lines because there are no lyrics. This instrumental song is a de-stressing song for Mr. Garbo. He may be learning to acquire a cool and relaxed attitude from this trance-like song. This song could help Mr. Garbo get ready for a relaxing summer after two hard semesters.

5. Willie Nelson–”Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
Mr. Garbo wishes his mamma didn’t let him grow up to be a cowboy. So that is where that rebellious view on life comes from! You better not mess with this man of the Old West, or you might get challenged to a duel. This song is about the rough and tough attitude of a cowboy and how it will cause them to be “alone” and “hard to love.” This country song’s hearty and down-to-earth tone symbolizes his want to fully embody his inner self, his inner Buckaroo.

New CD Releases: Fall 2010

Hands All Over by Maroon 5
Genre: Alternative/Pop
Released: Sept. 21, 2010

Longtime fans of Maroon 5 will be surprised to hear the new sound from the band’s long-anticipated album. Hands All Over is Maroon 5’s third album after It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (2007) and their debut album, Songs about Jane (2002). The band worked with legendary producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, who produced albums for rock bands like AC/DC and Def Leppard. That may be why Hands All Over deviates from the normal pop-sound that fans are used to hearing from Maroon 5.
The album starts with the hit single “Misery,” which sounds similar to the band’s upbeat and catchy earlier works. As soon as “Misery” ends, however, the band launches into its alter-ego. Particularly, the songs “Hands All Over,” from which the album gets its name, and “Stutter” sound nothing like the old Maroon 5; their rock-and-roll feeling is a change from Maroon 5’s usual catchy love songs.

Adam Levine takes center stage in Hands All Over, and much of this album’s success depended on his performance. His voice seems to fill every square inch of music, leaving no room for instrumental bridges. Unfortunately, that’s not a good thing. After “Misery” and “I Can’t Lie,” the rest of the songs are uncharacteristically forgettable.

The entire album seems like a filler to keep Maroon 5 on the music scene. Perhaps the one gem in this entire album is Adam Levine’s cover of “If I Ain’t Got You,” available on the deluxe edition. Levine’s soulful voice is perfect for this Alicia Keys cover, and the songsounds almost as good as the original.

The album as a whole, however, falls short of expectations. Critics and fans alike have given mixed reviews on the new album. Fans of Maroon 5 will be either left disappointed or intrigued by this experimental branching out of sound. If Maroon 5 wants to leave the shadow cast by Songs about Jane, they will have to try again with their next album.

Doo-Wops and Hooligans by Bruno Mars
Genre: Hip-Hop/R&B
Released: Oct. 5, 2010

The voice behind the smash singles “Nothin’ on You” by BoB and “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy has stumbled upon greatness with his solo album, Doo-Wops and Hooligans. Bruno Mars’ new album is, without a doubt, a contender for best album of the year. Despite the negative press about his recent arrest for drug possession, Doo-Wops and Hooligans reveals a paradoxically light-hearted and dark facet of Bruno Mars.

The album kicks off with “Grenade,” an extremely powerful song about a one-sided relationship. Mars retells the story of a girl for whom he was willing to do anything, but who wouldn’t put the same effort back. Next, his single “Just the Way You Are” has made its way to the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 since it was released in July. Another notable song on this album is “Liquor Store Blues.” The song stands out from this album filled with songs about love and relationships, and instead takes an introspective look into the darkest corners of Bruno Mars’ mind. In the song, Mars sings about how he tries to drown out his pain and sorrow with alcohol. Paired with an interestingly upbeat reggae sound, the listener is able to see into the sorrow and numbness of Mars’ soul through his lyrics.

Perhaps the only miss in this album is “The Lazy Song,” which sounds exactly as the title suggests. However, every other song in this album has its own powerful story, and each song depicts a different musical style. The album’s musical influences vary from sensual R&B, to Doo-Wop, and to a Hawaiian-like laid back style. Very rarely do artists experiment with so many different types of music in a single album, but the mosaic of music that Bruno Mars creates in Doo-Wops and Hooligans is an absolute masterpiece. The songs in this album are simple yet relatable, and Bruno Mars’ talent truly shines through his works.

Upcoming Releases:
Come Around Sundown by Kings of Leon (Oct. 19, 2010)
Sale el Sol (The Sun Comes Out) by Shakira (Oct. 19, 2010)
Wonders of the Younger by Plain White T’s (Oct. 19, 2010)
Speak Now by Taylor Swift (Oct. 25, 2010)
Strip Me by Natasha Bedingfield (Nov. 19, 2010)
Loud by Rihanna (Nov. 12, 2010)
Nothing Like This by Rascal Flatts (Nov. 16, 2010)
Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical

MTV Video Music Awards 2010

MTV’s annual Video Music Awards on September 19 showed signs that a new millennium has begun. A white carpet, light-up circular stage, a house DJ and an entire area that was capable of revolutionary graphics set the mood for the night.

Hosted by Chelsea Handler of E!’s “Chelsea Lately” at the Nokia Theater, the awards show featured performances by Deadmau5, Eminem, Rihanna, Travie McCoy, Justin Bieber, B.O.B, Bruno Mars, Paramore, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Florence + the Machine, Linkin Park and more. Over 11.4 million viewers tuned in, the largest audience for a VMA show since 2002.

Taylor Swift and Kanye West were the anticipated performances of the night, as people expected to hear their response to Kanye’s offensive interruption of Swift’s acceptance speech last year.

Swift’s song, “Innocent” was about forgiveness, saying, “32 and still growing up/Who you are is not what you did/You’re still innocent… Everyone of us has messed up too/Lives change like the weather/ I hope you remember.”

West’s “Runaway,” despite what people had expected, was not directed to Taylor. Instead it was a call out in general to his failed relationships with women, advising them to “runaway as fast as you can.” Response to the song from the public has been generally positive.

Additional guests included the Jackass crew, promoting their new movie Jackass 3D, as well as the cast of the Jersey Shore. Lady Gaga made headlines with her guests of honor, men and women of the armed services, who had been discharged from service due to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. She requested viewers to join her in support to repeal the amendment.

Lady Gaga took home eight out of the thirteen awards she was nominated for (a VMA record), and announced the title of her forthcoming album “Born this Way”, as she accepted her Video of the Year award at the end of the night.

The winners were as follows:

Video of the Year: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best New Artist: Justin Bieber

Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem, “Not Afraid”

Best Pop Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best Male Video: Eminem, “Not Afraid”

Best Rock Video: 30 Seconds to Mars, “Kings and Queens”

Best Female Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, “Telephone”

Best Dance Music Video: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”

Best Art Direction: Florence + The Machine, “Dog Days are Over” Art Direction by Louise Corcoran and Aldene Johnson

Best Choreography: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”, Choreographed by Laurieann Gibson

Best Cinematography: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”, Cinematography by John Perez

Best Direction: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance, Directed by Francis Lawrence

Best Editing: Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance, Edited by Jarrett Fijal

Best Special Effects: Muse, “Uprising”, Special Effects by Humble

Best Breakthrough Video: The Black Keys, “Tighten Up”

Warped Tour!

At this point in the school year, everyone is looking forward to summer. As your friends discuss fun things that you can do, keep in mind that there is one event you shouldn’t miss. Warped Tour is a music festival that is held every summer in cities across the nation. The closest one to us this summer is at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on June 26 from 10 a.m. to around 7 p.m. There are around 50 bands, usually alternative rock, that play half-hour sets on one of the many stages.

Sum 41

One band that you’ll be able to spot at Warped Tour is Sum 41. If you haven’t yet heard of this popular Canadian band, they have a pop-punk sound mixed with alternative rock. In the past they’ve toured with bands like The Offspring and Blink-182. Lead Singer Derek Whibley has a distinctive voice that is deeper than most pop-punk singers. Their songs are varying enough for almost anyone to find something they like. Some of them, like “Still Waiting,” have moderate screaming, while others are bubbly and just fun to dance to like “In Too Deep.” Basically, if you like alternative rock, Sum 41 is a classic band that you should definitely take time to check out.

Mayday Parade

Another band that you should look for at Warped Tour is the lesser known Mayday Parade. Their sound is best described as pop-rock, comparable to bands such as All Time Low and Every Avenue. The majority of their songs have to do with romance, which makes sense considering that one of their CD’s is entitled “A Lesson in Romantics.” Some of their most popular songs that would give you a better idea of their music are “Kids in Love” and “Jamie All Over.” Although one of their songs is slow, the rest tend to have upbeat guitar rhythms and fun lyrics.

Hey Monday

Hey Monday is a moderately new band that you might want to see at Warped Tour. Their lead singer is female, so their sound is similar to Paramore. Although she has a high-pitched voice, it’s still easy to sing along to their songs. They’re generally considered pop-rock and if you were to just listen to the instruments, they sound a lot like Mayday Parade and All Time Low. Their songs are really bubbly and a few of the best ones to give you a taste of their sound are “Homecoming” and “How You Love Me Now.”

The All-American Rejects

Warped Tour is a great opportunity, and maybe your last, to see this catchy pop/rock band up close on a small stage. Its two remaining members, Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler, are “moving along” to bigger and more mainstream performances, but they’re leaving with a bang that you won’t want to miss. Fortunately, the band’s shortened tour (they’re only appearing from 6/24 to 7/18) allows them to grace the Bay Area with a performance at the Shoreline in Mountain View. Recently, the AAR have been making a splash in the music industry by performing at the Winter Olympics and Superbowl XLIV. Rumor has it that the duo is on a roll and may come out with a new album before 2010 comes to a close.

Motion City Soundtrack

After the January release of their latest album My Dinosaur Life, this pop punk band has been keeping busy, touring everywhere from Las Vegas to New York. The intense, power pop sound of their latest hits promises a high-energy performance this summer, and this band specializes in all-out live performances. They took a chance with the darker, more chaotic mood for their new album, but the guidance of Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus ensured a booming success. Like the All-American Rejects, the band is only involved in Warped Tour from 6/24 to 7/18, so make sure you purchase tickets for the Shoreline venue if you want to see this dynamic performance.

The Cab

Having toured with some of the biggest names in Alternative rock today (Panic! At the Disco, Forever the Sickest Kids and Cobra Starship) this popular band flaunts one of the most unique sounds in the rock industry today. Combining upbeat pop with smoother R&B accents, their music is danceable, fun and impressive. Barely out of high school, the four members bring a vibrant energy to the stage and never fail to astound new listeners. Be sure to check them out if you’re not already a fan – they’re one of the dedicated bands playing the entire Warped Tour.

Grammy Grievances

We get it. Beyonce and Taylor Swift are more than just slightly popular, but drilling this into the heads of music fans via over-nominations is not the most appropriate response . When does a few nominations become too much? Swift was nominated for an overwhelming amount of eight awards including Record of the Year (awarded for a single or for one track on an album) , Album of the Year (awarded for an entire album), Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance – it never ends. Sure, she deserves some credit, but aren’t her eight nominations and Beyonce’s ten a little much?

It has become a popular opinion of late that the Grammys are slightly out of touch and recognize some artists too much, while completely forgetting others. Of course, the Grammys are not responsible for being in touch with whatever is most popular or known, but they are definitely responsible for being in touch with quality music. The problem here is distinguishing between popular, commercially successful music and overall “good” music.

Many complaints have been floating around about the Best New Artist award, its nominees being the Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, the Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings. Upon listening to these artists, it’s not a question of whether or not they have talent. But…who are they? MGMT’s “Kids” and “Electric Feel” distinguished them among new alternative artists and were a great start to what will be a fantastic career, and the Zac Brown Band is the talented epitome of pure, old-fashioned country. Many complain of not knowing the Silversun Pickups, but their popular songs “Panic Switch” and “Lazy Eye” have been steadily drawing in fans since their release. Could it be that this award is actually going to be based off quality and not popularity?

If that is the case, somebody should have thought to include David Cook for Best New Artist. Though he was most likely overloooked because of a petty bias against American Idol, his absence has left a large number of Grammy viewers bitter and unsatisfied. In the Best New Album category, many would have liked to see Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix or Maxwell’s BLACKsummer Night. No one was surprised to see Kelly Clarkson’s nomination for Best Pop Album, although it was a shocking disappoint that it was her only one.The Dave Matthews Band pulled through for a nomination for Best Album, to the surprise, yet delight, of many fans.

There have been numerous complaints regarding Michael Jackson not being nominated this year; however, hopeful fans are in luck. His album This is It didn’t make the deadline, but it’s more than likely that we’ll see it in next year’s Grammys.

However, the 52nd Grammys were surprisingly entertaining. Lady Gaga opened the night with fun renditions of the popular “Poker Face” and “Speechless.” She ended her act with an unexpected original piano ballad with Elton John. Though the song was decent, it took away from the act and left audiences calmed down rather than pumped up.

Pink wowed audiences with a dangerous but incredibly beautiful acrobatic performance of “Glitter in the Air.” Suspended above the audience, she twisted and twirled on a single white sheet with a Cirque du Soleil-esque routine. Not only was it visually attractive but it was also an incredible vocal performance.

The other memorable performance was of “The Earth Song” by Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Usher, and Celine Dion. The only let down was the lack of attention on the 3D effects. Most of the televised audience was not prepared and it took away from the on-screen effect.

Beyonce took home a record number of six awards: Song of the Year and R&B Song for Single Ladies, Female Pop Vocal for Halo, and Female R&B Vocal, Traditional R&B Vocal, Traditional R&B Vocal and Contemporary R&B Album. That’s cool. Now maybe you and Taylor Swift can go away for a little bit and let us miss you.

Trend Report: February

For those who are looking forward to the new music of the year more than the toys, you are in luck. Several well-known artists have rung in the New Year with new albums. Nashville-based pop artist Ke$ha recently released her debut album Animal after her single “Tik Tok” topped the charts in five countries. Lady Gaga has also graced the music charts with her hit “Bad Romance,” the leading single from her newly released album The Fame Monster. With her second album out and raking in the Grammy nominations, Lady Gaga is continuing to climb the ladder of music industry success since she first stepped into the scene in 2005.

But let’s not forget about the Indie scene, which is home to popular groups like Vampire Weekend. The band members all met at Colombia University and began putting together their Congolese-style jams into a full-length album, debuting in 2008. The newest installment from the group, Contra, was released January 11 in the United States.

In terms of the fashion avenue, keep your eyes peeled for the latest spring trends that are going to be creeping into local retailers in the coming weeks. A popular trend in the fashion magazines is the shirt dress. This comfortable piece combines a button down T-shirt with the length of a short dress, providing both girly appeal and tomboy edginess. The shirt dress fits all shapes well, and Michelle Obama has even been seen sporting one recently while on vacation. Check out stores like The Limited and Ralph Lauren, who are already launching spring lines.

Not quite ready to start bringing out all your warm weather clothes again? Not to worry, because many stores are still in post-holiday sales, where plenty of winter clothes will not only be available but will be on sale! Macy’s, Kenneth Cole, French Connection, and Michael Kors are great places to go to find classy coats and jackets that are appropriate for a California girl’s idea of winter.

With the variety of new appliances, music, and fashion news to keep up with, it might come as a relief to know that one new trend might also ease some of the back pain that is so common among Pres due to lugging around backpacks jammed full of books. It is called the “Nook”, a compact digital book made by Barnes & Noble that allows owners to download books straight onto the device. The Nook is built with an E Ink display screen designed to protect the reader from the damaging effects of staring at a computer screen.

So what is the niftiest feature of this little gadget? Users can download novels, magazines, and newspapers at the Barnes & Noble online store or through AT&T cellular networks. As many as 700,000 selections are available, all of which can be shared with friends with the Nook’s “Lend Me” feature. Friends do not even have to be fellow Nook owners, as the Lend Me feature allows titles to be sent to iPhones, iPod Touches, BlackBerries or computers.

There are plenty of new items out this year, so keep your eyes peeled for these new trends!

Operation: College Art Supplements

Stanford wants students to write an essay describing themselves for their roommates, while NYU is asking this year for applicants to write about a famous New Yorker they’d like to spend the day with. Students can often spend weeks perfecting a perfect response for the college admission officers to read. It will be, after all, one of the few ways a student can stand out of the thousands of prospective applicants. Every year, however, there are some in the senior class who take on an even more daunting additional task: the art supplement.

The art supplement portion of the college application often requires compositions that involve months of work. The compositions cover a wide range of topics – the visual arts of drawing, painting, photography, and computer graphics as well as the performing arts of music, dance, and theater.

For visual arts, colleges typically require another essay and an art portfolio consisting of at least 10 – 15 pieces of the student’s work. The conditions of the portfolios are as varied as the supplementary essay prompts. Some colleges will give their prospective students free reign, while others have very specific instructions. For example, UCLA requires a self-portrait while the Rhode Island School of Design in the past has asked that all portfolios include a drawing of a bicycle. This year, several Presentation students have become very familiar with the work involved in creating such supplements.

For those who know senior Corinne DiTullio, it comes as no surprise that she has been preparing her art portfolio for four years. The signs were everywhere – the quilt she made for her APUSH project of the events leading up to the Civil War and the dedication she shows collaborating with the Valenzuela Theater to produce the costumes for the school’s productions. For the last seven months, however, she has devoted herself specifically to perfecting her best work for her portfolio.

“My [UCLA] self portrait took over thirty hours,” DiTullio says of her endeavor’s time commitment. “I had a table set up in my room with all my collage pieces and there were some days I would work for eight hours or more on it and stayed up until midnight trying to make progress.”

The time commitment to do the art supplement for the performing arts is just as consuming. To do the music supplement for her colleges, senior Emily Nguyen was required to send in a CD with a professional recording of her work. With piano songs lasting eight minutes each, she practiced for four to six hours a day for a week to make her recording.

“Everyone who submits this supplement is extremely advanced and plays their songs impeccably,” she says as she recalls the experience. “I was so troubled about making it perfect that I had to restart the machine every single time I made a slip or teeny mistake. This meant I spent a lot of time playing and replaying my songs.”

She adds, “You can never procrastinate in music. I definitely put more priority in my college essays, but I regret that I could not completely showcase my abilities.”

The nerve racking demands and the need for perfection also affected DiTullio. Her advice to future seniors considering an artistic future in college?

“My advice would be to start early,” DiTullio says. “I worked over the summer on my portfolio, which really helped me get ahead. If I could change anything, I would have finished even more done in the summer. ”

Nguyen offers further advice for the musical inclined. “If you have an idea of what colleges you want to apply to, research them and see if they accept music supplements,” she says. “Start recording now so you can have plenty of time to perfect your playing. Most importantly, pick pieces you love! If you drudge through a song, the music department heads who will be listening will be able to tell.”

College counselor Mary Connolly says that a dramatic arts portfolio can also give some students an edge in such a competitive admissions environment. While most colleges do not require an audition, it is a way for those interested in a theatrical future to stand out. The National Association for College Admission Counseling knows that many students are unable to easily travel to individual colleges for auditions and so it holds national fairs in exchange. During these one-day events, such as the one held annually in San Francisco in October, prospective students can audition for the attending 120 schools.

While some students say they would much rather draw or play music than write an essay, Mrs. Connolly points to the grueling process of spending time alone for hours on end. As she says, “It’s not like going to art therapy.” Still, despite the extra time and effort above and beyond Pres’ already grueling requirements, these students all say that they hope their work will pay off with an acceptance letter this spring.

[audio:http://www.presentationvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bach031.mp3]
[audio:http://www.presentationvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/brahms1.mp3]

music clips from Emily Nguyen’s music portfolio

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Rocks Christmas

The stage is dark. The first chord strikes, the music swells slowly. The crowd waits silently. With an explosion of sound, the lights illuminate the stadium with color—and the head banging begins.

On Nov. 29, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra brought its incredible presence to HP Pavilion in San Jose. Most classical orchestras do not appeal to the teenage population; however, this show supersedes all expectations and preconceived notions about classical music. The orchestra combines elements of symphonic metal with classic Christmas carols, most notably the “Carol of the Bells” often heard on the radio. The three-hour show began with a series of Christmas songs linked together by a story of an angel discovering the secret of the magic behind Christmas. The narrator’s voice rivaled that of Morgan Freeman; it cast a spell upon the audience, the deep and gravelly vocals of a true storyteller.

Besides the incredible music, the lights show was perfectly choreographed to the music—they took 15 hours to set up. Pyrotechnics were also employed, shooting fire into the air during climactic moments of songs and sending a blast of heat into the audience. In a particularly powerful song entitled Christmas Eve/Sarajevo, screens flashed images of helicopters overhead and leaders declaring war. The orchestra stayed true to its message of peace on earth and a perpetual Christmas spirit, asking the audience to acknowledge the U.S. Armed Forces and donating one dollar from each ticket to Second Harvest Food Bank.

The musicians themselves performed dynamically, impressing the audience with their incredible stamina. They ran back and forth across the stage, playing emphatically with boundless energy. The men all wore long hair perfect for flipping, which they took full advantage of; they also sported tailcoats. At one point, a violinist and guitarist played on a platform that rose far above the audience, surrounded by smoke and lights. Though some songs required vocals, most were instrumental. The songs with vocals had a variety of singers, all with beautiful and clear voices.

The orchestra has just released its new CD, Nightcastle, and will go on tour this spring. Don’t miss the chance to go! In the meantime, get in the Christmas mood by listening to The Lost Christmas Eve album. Make sure you check out “Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness” and “Wizards in Winter!”

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